The popular adage states that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." This is simply not true, particularly when it comes to behaviors that are causing a disruption. Barking is a natural trait of dogs but when your elderly pooch is barking at the mailman two blocks away, it is time to address a long-neglected issue. An infinite amount of patience, persistence and consistency are needed to teach your dog to remain silent but this task can be accomplished by any dog, even an old one.
Things You'll Need
- Water bottle
- Treats
Instructions
Remain calm when your dog begins to bark. Showing emotions such as panic, annoyance or anger confirm to the dog that he should, in fact, be as upset as he is.
Give your dog a command to stop the barking, such as "No." Some owners have had luck with a command for the specific behavior, such as "Enough." Whichever command you choose to give, be consistent and do not change the cue.
Reward your dog with a treat or praise if she complies with your command.
Squirt your dog with a water bottle if he continues to bark after you have given your command. This harmless correction startles the dog, distracting him from the person or object he was barking at to begin with.
Command your dog to "lay down" once you have successfully gotten her attention. This reinforces your position as the dog's "pack leader" or "alpha dog." Psychologically, the alpha dog is the one who decides what is a threat and what isn't. The dog should recognize that if the alpha dog is not concerned, she should not be either.
Repeat this process each time your dog barks. As the training progresses, wait a little bit longer to praise your dog for ceasing to bark. This enforces that the calm demeanor and silence is what is being rewarded, not the cessation of barking.